David Schildmeier, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Nurses Association says that people who have gathered inside the hospital cafeteria for a vigil, have now decided not to leave until they have assurances that the hospital will be kept open.

Dozens of people are both inside and outside the hospital to protest the decision to shut down the hospital on Friday morning. Northern Berkshire Healthcare, the parent company of North Adams Regional Hospital, said that they could not continue operations following long financial struggles.

More than 500 people work for the health system.

22News reporter Matt Caron is in North Adams, and will have the latest on 22News tonight starting at 5.